Elizabethtown College now requires business majors to participate in the course First-Year Business Experience (BA 111), which promotes interactive projects between students and local companies under the tutelage of faculty advisors.  The class, created last year by Dr. Sylvester Williams, associate professor of business law, enables students to gain real-world exposure and share newly acquired skills with their classmates in the hopes that they may obtain careers in the business world immediately upon graduation.

In keeping with the mission of Etown’s business department, the course not only promotes the development of business and managerial skills but also fosters an appreciation of personal responsibility to society.  In BA 111, students learn how to “work effectively in a group, utilize leadership skills, manage group conflict, work toward a deadline, network, sharpen communication skills and build character,” Williams said.  “Ultimately, they learn how to sustain a healthy community and develop the skills and attitudes to become multicultural community-builders in a rapidly changing, diverse world.”

The course, taken during the spring semester of the student’s first year, satisfies one of the Signature Learning Experiences required by Etown business majors.  “By starting this program in the first year,” Williams said, “our students have a longer period of time to absorb the social impact of their actions and to incorporate those principles, while becoming a lifelong learner.”

This year’s projects include a drive with the Elizabethtown Food Bank, a technology-training series for Masonic Village residents, a social media marketing campaign with the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce and coordination of the town’s annual book sale with the public library.

“Through community involvement, students gain an understanding of community issues, community assets and community processes for making change happen.  Students engage in real-world issues and social problems, working with community organizations to become part of the solution,” Williams said.

Williams points out that the organizations also benefit from the experience, as they gain the opportunity to further their mission and expand their reach without incurring costs.  “Students bring new energy, ideas and enthusiasm as well as specialized skills to the organizations they work with. The experience cultivates a new generation of volunteers for either their own organization or their broader cause,” he said.

First-year business administration major, Katie Banick, enrolled in BA 111 because it was required, but acknowledges that her participation played a major role in obtaining an internship.  “Because I have real life experience in managing projects, I stood out among the other applicants,” she said.

Banick currently works as part of the team of students helping the Elizabethtown Public Library plan its annual book sale.  She agrees with Williams that the project is mutually advantageous, as it teaches students “valuable lessons and provides us with hands-on experiences,” while also helping the library cut down on costs and increase its revenue.  “This has a very positive effect because the more money the library has, the more books and resources it can purchase,” Banick said.  “Therefore, the course is truly beneficial to the entire community.”